Unity Thursday Hop with Grow in Grace

Unity Stamp Company Blog Hop

It’s time for the Unity Design Team Inspiration Blog Hop. There are lots of lovely new releases and so many beautiful creations to see. If you haven’t been hopping along, all the action starts on the Unity blog. I’m featuring the brand new sentiment kit for April today.

Featured Stamp Kit

Grow in Grace

Lots of pretty sentiments in this kit to match that gorgeous swan. I thought, what bird do we need in a sentiment kit? Why a swan of course!!! So elegant and graceful. Swans are perfect for any occasion.

Project #1

The Details

This image is just perfect for watercolor. My brand new Arteza Real Brush pens just came in, so I just had to try them out right away.

I’m still working out the kinks. These do take some practice. I’m using some cold press watercolor paper and I’m noticing the pens may not be saturated or pigmented enough to really move like watercolor or Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens. But for the price, they are pretty nice (keep an eye on Amazon’s lightning deals. You can usually grab the 48 count for way under $30).

I’m just still working out how to use these.
I used two different methods. First, I scribbled ink on an acrylic block and then applied to the image with a water brush. This allowed the ink to move freely and created a nice even layer of color. It was great for the purple background of the image. Next, I tried directly brushing the ink onto the image and using a water brush to spread out the color. That worked well on the flowers. The trouble occurred if I tried to layer ink directly over a previous area, it would not spread out with water afterward. So layering shading did not work so well, but if you wanted to add strokes or texture (such as the flower) it did work amazingly.

So that said, I’m still working out my technique and will share a video if I have any solid tips to share. After I finished coloring my image, I die cut it out with a circle. Popped that up over some watercolor patterned paper die cut with a scalloped edge. I placed that all over the black cardstock background that I clear embossed with the ever so amazing Worn Grid background. That might be one of my most used backgrounds… I love it for the texture and simple pattern. Last, I stamped and embossed my sentiment in white on black cardstock.

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Project #2

Sharing a lovely swan card for a special day like a birthday or wedding day. These swans are stamps in a mirror image and colored with Distress inks. All stamps are by Unity Stamp Company. More inspiration on dahlhouse-designs.com. #handmade #cardmaking #card #ideas #howto #tutorial #video #papercrafts #unitystampco #diecutting #watercolor #distressinks #ranger

The Details

What I love about this stamp is its versatility. Not only does it have a nice grungy image that includes the flowers and scripty background, but you can easily fussy cut those swans out so they shine on their own.

For this card, I used the mirror image tool to create two swans facing each other. I have a video HERE to show how I like to use my MISTI and the mirror image tool.

Once I stamped and fussy cut out my images, I used Distress markers to color the swan. I only used one color – Pumice stone. Super easy to do and I even used regular white cardstock since I didn’t use a lot of water.

I had a scrap piece of paper from some cards where I created a watercolor background. If you want to see that video click HERE. I used a heart die to add a bit of color to the card.

I popped up the swans and heart on a die cut piece of white cardstock that I stamped the sentiment on. Then matted that with a lovely seafoam green and ivory cardstock. I debated on the string and bow but decided to just go for it and add that too. Adds just another level of interest and texture to the card.

Now I’m all set for a special occasion – maybe a wedding, anniversary or even a birthday card. This card could cover it all.

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Hop List & Prize

Don’t forget to leave a comment on each blog as you hop with us today.
Everyone hopping today is listed below, just click on the next girl in line to continue on your way.

Amanda
Angeline
Camille
Crystal
Donna
Echo
Gaylynn
Joslyn
Karen
Kary
Kris
>> Lisa << you are here
Mandi
Maria
Sharon
Shemaine
Stephanie
Unity Stamp Co

2015sig
Supplies

Thinking of You Swan


Pair of Swans


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34 Comments

  1. Kris

    I just love this ❤

  2. Lindsey M-P

    Beautiful sentiment set (you can NEVER have too many sentiments) and two gorgeous cards!

  3. Dana M

    Stunning cards and beautiful stamp set with such lovely sentiments.

  4. Kim A Klinkovsky

    So beautiful. I love your colors, patterns, texture, and those swans are so elegant. Just lovely cards.

  5. Dorothy Green

    I love your pretty new sentiment set that you have created with the elegant swan and the beautiful card you made to show it off!!!

  6. Denise Bryant

    Lovely card! The swan is so elegant!

  7. Darlene Kolojeskihuttel

    Very pretty!

  8. Debra Dekock

    Breathtaking! Love the detail.

  9. Wilma Degraffenreid

    Beautiful cards… I’m thinking about getting the mirror image tool.

  10. Shannon Horch

    I seriously cannot wait to get this. It’s on its way to me now. I fell involve at first sight. I know I will use this kit a lot! Fantastic creation Lisa!

    1. Shannon Horch

      in Love! Gah!

  11. Jules

    Your cards are as beautiful and elegant as this sentiment kit

  12. Naomi Harner

    Love the swans and the mirror technique….fun to learn along side you as you discover new products!

  13. Vicki Barton

    I love the simple beauty of your swan and it’s so beautifully colored too

  14. Lynda Greholver

    Such a lovely card. Very striking. The curved purple panel is a nice touch!

  15. Jan

    Another amazing sentiment kit – so versatile! Your cards are beautiful!

  16. Cindy M

    Your swan cards are stunning! Love, love!

  17. Denise Sayers

    Beautiful job on the swan, and the only thing better than that is two swans.

  18. Phaline Mays

    Gorgeous card. I love how you did the water underneath the swan. <3

  19. Judy T

    Oh my gosh, love those Swans. Thank you for sharing them

  20. sandra v.blaricum

    Such a beautiful card!! Love it!

  21. Rachel Duong

    I love contrast you created with the black against the white! The swan stamp is so pretty and you really made it stand out.

  22. Anonymous

    I love this pretty swan stamp and how you used black against white to create an amazing contrast. It really made the image stand out!

  23. Rachel Duong

    I love this pretty swan stamp and how you used black against white to create an amazing contrast. It really made the image stand out!

  24. Katy Fowler

    Super pretty card

  25. Karen Decknick

    Beautiful cards!

  26. Angie M

    So beautiful! Stunning

  27. Emily

    Wow!!!! It looks,just like a real !!!

  28. Chantel F.

    Not normally a fan of swans but your card is beyond gorgeous! A Mazing!

  29. Sue D

    Beautiful swan cards!

  30. Julie

    Absolutely breathtaking!

Your comments really make my day, thank you!